Vietnam Today

PM approves adjustments to electricity plan

Thermal power still key but alternative and other sources to be promoted to 2020 and 2030.

by Minh Tuyet

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved adjustments to the national electricity plan in the 2011-2020 period and vision to 2030.

The adjustments are targeted at supplying sufficient electricity to meet domestic demand and facilitate Vietnam’s socio-economic target of GDP growth of 7 per cent annually in the 2016-2030 period.

Alternative energy is to be developed, such as wind energy, solar energy, and biomass power, with the proportion of generation from alternative sources to rise.

Multi-function hydroelectric power projects will be prioritized, which can not only produce electricity but also supply water and control flooding. These will be researched to ensure they are suitable with the national electricity grid and enhance efficiency.

By 2020 the total capacity of hydroelectric projects, including small and medium hydro power plants and multi-function hydroelectric plants is to be 21,600 MW and will increase to 24,600 MW by 2025 and 27,800 MW by 2030.

Hydroelectricity will account for about 29.5 per cent of generated electricity by 2020, 20.5 per cent by 2025, and 15.5 per cent by 2030.

The current capacity of wind power is 140 MW and is to rise by 800 MW by 2020, by 2,000 MW by 2025, and by about 6,000 MW by 2030.

The tiny existing capacity of solar energy will be increased to 850 MW by 2020, 4,000 MW by 2025, and about 12,000 MW by 2030 and account for 0.5 per cent of generation by 2020, about 1.6 per cent by 2025, and about 3.3 per cent by 2030.

Regarding thermal power, domestic coal will be prioritized for northern thermal power plants. Total capacity by 2020 will be 26,000 MW, contributing 49.3 per cent to total generation and using about 63 million tonnes of coal. By 2050 generation will be 45,800 MW, accounting for 55 per cent and using 95 million tonnes of coal.

Due to a shortage of coal, thermal power plants will be constructed in Long An province and provinces along the nearby Song Hau River in the Mekong Delta, where transport allows for easy delivery.

Nuclear power will be also developed, with the first plants to be operational by 2028. By 2030 nuclear power will have a capacity of 4,600 MW and account for 5.7 per cent of generation.

In the 2016-2020 period the total investment to develop electricity resources and the national grid, excluding BOT contracts, will be $148 billion.